Sometimes — with care
Plain cooked rice is safe for cats in small amounts — vets sometimes use it in bland recovery diets. But cats have no real need for grains.
Rice is non-toxic and digestible for cats, and a spoon of plain white rice mixed with boiled chicken is a classic short-term bland diet for digestive recovery (under vet guidance). Beyond that role, rice is filler for an obligate carnivore: every gram of rice displaces protein a cat would use better. Cats fed rice-heavy scraps long-term risk weight gain and nutritional dilution. Uncooked rice is hard to digest; seasoned, fried or buttery rice brings salt, fat and allium dangers.
A teaspoon to a tablespoon of plain cooked rice occasionally, or as your vet prescribes during recovery. It should never become a meal base — feline diets need to be meat-centred and taurine-complete.
For recovery feeding, plain boiled chicken matters more than the rice. Pumpkin purée (plain) helps with mild constipation.
Related: Can dogs eat rice? · Can cats eat bread? · Can cats eat chicken?
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something potentially harmful or shows symptoms, contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Full disclaimer.